Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-28

Other documents were submitted by
the committee in the form of agreements
on the part of the signers to carry out the
above propositions and objects.
Mr.. Barnard expressed the opinion
that the only way to accomplish the de-
sired results was to form local corpora
ton to deal with the proposers. Give all
the stockmen q chance to contract as
much or as little cattle as they will agree
to deliver in San Antonio on the condi-
tons named. If we can get the supply
of cattle there will be no difficulty in get
ting the refrigerator. But the cattle
must be subject to call at the stipulated
price. The secretary should have the
papers printed and circulated among
stockmen.
motion was made to adopt the re-
port as read, and the chair called for fur
Their discussion. After some delay, Mr..
Claridge said he saw an opposition to the
scheme in the arbitrary price of cattle. If
cattle go up in the spring, as they are al
most sure to, 1t will be difficult to get the
meat at the agreed price. He did not be-
lieve cattlemen would make any such
contract for twelve months, at or even
% cents per pound. 1t would be mis-
take to put it at lower price than cattle
men would accept.
Mr.. Half thought that was the very
question to be decided, and on it would
hinge a refrigerator or none at all. Par
ties would not invest vast capital in the
enterprise without guarantee of suffi-
Gent cattle to run on.
Barnard said it was not the object to
get men to pledge all their stock, but
simply 100 per day, and as much more as
they desired. He proposed an amend
ment of % and q cents per pound.
MAJOR Moore did not believe any one
would invest $1,000, 900 in refrigerator
unless guarantee would be given that
the beef would be forthcoming. There is
no compulsion about it, and no one need
sign the agreement if they do not desire
to. II you don't want it you can say so.
Mr.. Thornton argued that it was case
of necessity, and wanted to know what
cattlemen had been realizing for beef in
Chicago. He had some experience i'll that
line, and knew what he was talking about
when he said it was not more than II
cents. 1t was time something was being
done to stop such business.
Claridge further believed that stock
men would prefer to make donations in
CdIllC W IuC lldu DIuu
themselves at such low figures.
Barnard-"That is the rock on which
we split. Nobody would be SO foolish as
to start the refrigerator if be cannot get
q guarantee of the beef supply. The
whole thing would be failure, as at Fort
Worth and Victoria. The object is to
get an assured supply of cattle, or failure
will result"
Thornton-"A plant of 81, 1000, 900 here
will employ not less than 500 persons,
which will be an immense benefit to the
city as well as to the cattleraisers. The
cattle will be fattened here, which will
also furnish big market for grain and
hay.
After some further discussion the prop
osition and report was adopted as orig
inally reported, without dissenting voice,
and the secretary was instructed to have
the papers printed and circulated among
the stockmen for signatures, beginning
with those to be found in San Antonio.
Mr.. Alexander suggested that it would
be good scheme for the committee in
charge to meet and appoint suO-commit-
tees from each trade, profession and
branch of business in order that the city
could be more thoroughly canvassed, and
at the same time meet with greater sue
cess.
The proposition was considered good
one, and was accepted.
A subscription for money to defray the
printing expenses was then taken up, and
the meeting adjourned.
1t seemed to be the opinion of those
present that the refrigerator scheme is
now in fair way of success. They re-
gard it as their only salvation from the
greed of the Chicago COrmorants, and,
under that impression, will do all in
their power to accomplish the desired re-
suit.